College is expensive. Parents would feel better about investing for their child’s education if they could mitigate some of the future financial risks. Two of the most concerning risks: run-away inflation and fear of a student unexpectedly leaving college. But these fears can be alleviated or even eliminated! How? Prepaid college savings plans can help control future run-away inflation costs. …
Financial, Academic, Social Fit and Timeliness (FAST) = a Great College Fit
Choosing the right college is one of the most significant decisions in a student’s life. Most counselors and families immediately think of Academic and Social Fit. But the bookends to the FAST acronym are equally important: Financial Fit and Timeliness. A great college fit includes: Financial Academic Social Timeliness This article explores these four essential components to help students make …
Toys Are Fun, but Gifting for College Lasts a Lifetime
The holiday season is a time for giving, and while toys bring instant joy, they’re often outgrown or forgotten. A contribution to a child’s college savings fund, however, is a gift that grows over time and can create lasting joy and opportunities for years to come. According to the College Savings Foundation, 65% of parents plan to ask friends or …
A Comprehensive Guide to Navigating College Admissions Deadlines
Choosing colleges and then deciding when to apply are at the heart of the college admissions process. Each type of deadline serves different student needs, may lead to binding decisions, and can significantly impact your student’s application strategy. In this blog post, we’ll break down the most common types of college admissions deadlines to help you and your student make …
Five Things to Consider When Paying the College Bill
Paying for college can be daunting for any family or student, but with the right strategies, planning, and information, you can make it more manageable. Here are five essential things to consider when planning to pay for college: Knowing the Cost in Advance Understanding the true cost of college is the first step in financial planning primarily because it can …
Federal Student Loan Rates Are Soaring – Here’s What To Do
Paying for college has always been a challenge but this year may be the worst ever. To top off a difficult financial aid season, interest rates on Federal Direct Loans for students and parents are set to increase, a lot. This article will tell you why the interest rates are going up, offer some strategies to borrow at the least …
The Ripple Effect: Understanding How Student Loans Impact Your Student’s Credit Score
For many students, pursuing higher education is a worthwhile investment in their future. However, this pursuit often comes with the financial burden of student loans. Beyond the immediate challenges of repayment, it’s crucial for parents and students to understand how these loans can have a lasting impact on students’ credit scores. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the intricacies …
The Importance of College Fit
Goldilocks and the Three Bears of College Fit All parents want their children to be successful and college is a natural step after high school for many students. In fact, students who attain a four-year degree have historically higher lifetime earnings than their counterparts who do not. According to College Board’s “Education Pays 2023” report, students with a four-year degree …
What to know: The college admissions timeline
Parents: Know the college admissions timeline The college admissions process can be tricky for any family, especially those going through it for the first time. Separate financial aid and admissions applications, multiple deadlines at each school, standardized exams, letters of recommendation, required essays, and, this year, changes to federal financial aid. No wonder you feel stress. Here’s the good news: …
The Student Aid Index: The New Way to Calculate College Aid
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is about to fundamentally change how eligibility for college financial aid is calculated. Here’s what you need to know and a link to a free calculator to estimate eligibility for college aid using the new methodology. Background On December 27, 2020, Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act to simplify the financial aid application form …